Sanitary thermometer case



Oct. 14 ,1924. LSHA'M W. F. HOWE S ANITARY THERMOMETER CAS E Filed `June 29 1922 @MMM bo@ )fea/wm ffy/MC Patented liet. i4,

1,5i L4M UNTED STATES PATENT QFFEIE.

XVARREN F. HOVJE, OF TATERTON. NEVI YORK, ASSGNOR TU THE G. FAICEINEY CQMPANY, 03?' WATER-TOWN, NEW YORK, A CO-ARTNERSHER SANITARY THERMOMETER Application led June 29,

To al? @1J/"20m if may concern.'

Be it known that WARREN F. Hown, a citizen oi.2 `the United States, residing` at lvatertown, in the county otl Jefferson and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sanitary Thermometer Cases, of which the following is a specification'.

This invention relates to improvements in thermometer cases. and has for its object to provide a novel and simple pocket case for clinical and other thermometers. A further object is to provide a case oi' the class which is lined with a non-abrasive cushion material for preventing breakage and chafing of the fragile instrument, the said cushion being or' a nature to absorb and retain liquid and other sterilizing agents, for rendering the thermometer sanitary and germproof. A further object is to provide a novel tension means, which co-operates with the cushion lining, for gripping and holding the thermometer against accidental release or displacement, while the oase is being handled and the protecting cap is removed. And a further object is to generally improve and simplify the construction and arrangement of containers of the class.

l attain these objects by the means set forth in the detailed description which follows, and as illustrated by the accompanying drawing, in which-- Figure l is a side view of the complete device. Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal section; showing a thermometer sheathed in the cushion sack and the sack partially inclosed by the tension member; also showing the cap detached. Fig. 3 is a similar section showing the thermometer cushioned in the fibrous lining. Fig. t is respectively a side and a cross-sectional view of the cushion sack. Figs. 5 and G are similar side views of the tubular tension member. And Fig. 7 is an end view of the same.

ln the drawing, 2 represents the cylindrical body of the case, which is hollow throughout, one of its ends 2 being open, the other end 21 being closed, and its eXterior near the open end being provided with screwthreads 2", which are engaged by corresponding internal threads 3 of a hollow cap 3. 4C represents a Well-known clinical 1922. serial No. 571,653.

thermometer7 which may be carried by the case 2, and when inserted in the case, as shown in 2 and 3, one end l of the thermometer preferably extends some distance beyond the open end 2 for facilitating its removal. The opposite end la of the thermometer comprises the usual mercury bulb, which as a rule is smaller in dia-meter and more 'fragile than the body. The case 2 may be made of any suitable material, such as hard rubber, Celluloid, aluminum or other metal of sufficient rigidity to properly snpport and protect the thermometer. The thermometers 4; are usually made of relatively thin and brittle glass, and are easily broke-n when rough handled. or even when lightly contacting with other hard substances. ln order to properly protect thermometers or" this class, I provide a novel and elective lining 5, for the casing 2, which is preferably made in the form of a tubular sack, having an open and a closed end corresponding to the case 2. This lining or sack is preferably made of a soft velvety fibrous material, such as chamois, felt or like nonabrasive material, as shown in Figs. 2 and Il. The sack 5 is preferably made from a slt-rip of the cushion material, which is first folded upon itself. and then stitched or sewed along one side and one end margin, shown at 5 in Fig. 4. The sack 5 is inserted in the body 2, wit-h the open end taoing the corresponding end of the body, and it is preferably secured therein by cement, in a well-known manner. In making up the sack, it is preferably arranged fto snugly it the thermometer 4L. as shown in Fig. 3. This insures the consistent and "even bearing for the thermometer throughout the length oft Ithe inserted portion thereof, and tends to prevent any shifting, as well as any direct contact between the instrument 4c and the case 2. Ordinarily. when the cushion lining 5 is new and properly fitted, ift will hold the thermometer in place, but owing to the compressible nature of the said lining, it is necessary to provide supplemental means to co-operate with the lining 5, for preventing the accidental release or escape of the thermometer from the body 2, when the cap 3 is removed. 'I "o this end, I provide a hollow cylindrical tension member 6, which preferably closely encircles a portion of the sack 5, and lthe said member has its opposite sides cut-away, as at 6', for providing relatively narrow integral flexible portions 6a. The tension sleeve 6 is preferably slipped over the chamois, or felt tube 5, before the latter is inserted in the case 2, and atterthe sleeve is properly adjusted, the narro-w portions 6'al are bent inwardly, as best seen in Fig. 5. The sleeve 6 is preterably made of thin, spring brass or steel, and when the portions 62L are bent, as shown, they exert the requisite tension upon the opposite sides ot the sack 5, for causing the latter to cling` to and trictionally hold the thermometer l in place, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. IVhen the parts are properly made and adjusted, the case 2 may beheld in any position, without danger ot the thermometer gravitating from the case. The case 2 with the thermometer in it, may be dropped, and the cushion 5 will prevent breakage of the instrument, and the instrumeot may be repeatedly inserted and removed, without danger of its finely graduated and engraved outer surface being charted, or the markings obliterated, because no metal or other hard substances come int-o contact with any port-ion of fthe thermometer.

I. In practice, a sterilizing agent, either in the liquid or powder Jform, is frequently applied tothe interior of the sack 5, for ren-` dering the outfit sanitary and germ-proof.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, is-

l. In a thermometer case, a hollow tubular body open at one end, a cap for closing said end, a fibrous bushing forming a cushion lining within said body, the corresponding end of said bushing being open to receive the thermometer, and a rolled tension member split throughout its length clamped around the open end portion of the bushing and having longitudinal cut-outstor providing medial flexible portions adapted to exert tension against the opposite sides of the bushing and thermometer.

2. In a cushion support for thermometers,

a tubular sack of soft fibrous material open one end to receive a thermometer, and a relatively short `sprilig metal tube `split throughout its length adapted to closely embrace the sack near its open end, said tube having medial openings parallel to saidsplit tor-providing similar longitudinal portions adapted when 'bent Vinwardly radially for pressing the opposite sides of the sack against the thermometer.

`In testimony whereof I aHiX my signature.

WARREN F. HOWE. 

